Compositions comprising beta-caryophyllene and methods of utilizing the same

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell or a cell transformed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Specifically, the invention provides Beta-Caryophyllene or a composition thereof to induce apoptosis. The invention further provides treating lymphoma or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated disease in a subject by administering Beta-Caryophyllene or a composition thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for inhibiting the proliferation of a cell transformed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), comprising the step of contacting said cell with an effective amount of a composition comprising Beta-Caryophyllene, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of said cell transformed by EBV. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Beta-Caryophyllene
 (a) inhibits the activity of Topoisomerase I thereby inhibiting replication of said EBV in said cell; or   (b) inhibits the activity of Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), thereby inhibiting replication of said EBV in said cell; or   (c) induces apoptosis in said cell;   
       or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cell comprises a cancer cell, a lymphoma cancer cell, or a B cell lymphoma cancer cell. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a plant extract, essential oils of a plant, a resin of a plant, or a stem or leaf extract of a plant, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said plant is  Commiphora gileadensis.    
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a subject infected by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or a subject having at least one cell transformed by EBV, comprising the step of administering to said subject an effective amount of a composition comprising Beta-Caryophyllene, thereby treating said subject infected by EBV or said subject having at least one cell transformed by EBV. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said Beta-Caryophyllene
 (a) inhibits the replication of said EBV in said subject by inhibiting the activity of Topoisomerase I, Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), or a combination thereof; or   (b) induces apoptosis of an EBV-transformed cell in said subject;   or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said apoptosis is differentially induced in said EBV-transformed cell compared with a non-cancer cell or a non-EBV transformed cell. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said subject infected by EBV is afflicted with infectious mononucleosis, has a lymphoma, has a B cell lymphoma or has an EBV-associated disease, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said treating comprises inhibiting reactivation of a latent infection of B-lymphocytes, reducing the risk of a malignancy, or a combination thereof, in said subject. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said composition comprises a plant extract, essential oils of a plant, a resin of a plant, or a stem or leaf extract of a plant, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said plant is  Commiphora gileadensis.    
     
     
         24 . A method for inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell, comprising the step of contacting said cell with an effective amount of a composition comprising Beta-Caryophyllene, thereby inducing apoptosis in said cancer cell. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell is differentially inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell compared with a non-cancer cell. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said composition comprises a plant extract, essential oils of a plant, a resin of a plant, or a stem or leaf extract of a plant, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said plant is  Commiphora gileadensis.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said cancer cell comprises a lymphoma cell or a B lymphocyte cancer cell. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said cancer cell is infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a lymphoma or an EBV-associated disease in a subject, comprising the step of inducing apoptosis in a lymphoma cell in said subject, wherein said inducing apoptosis in a lymphoma cell in said subject comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of a composition comprising Beta-Caryophyllene, thereby treating said lymphoma or EBV-associated disease. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said treating lymphoma or EBV-associated disease induces apoptosis in a cancer cell, differentially inducing apoptosis in said cancer cell compared with a non-cancer cell. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said composition comprises a plant extract, essential oils of a plant, a resin of a plant, or a stem or leaf extract of a plant, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said plant is  Commiphora gileadensis.    
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a lymphoma or an EBV-associated disease in a subject, comprising the step of administering to said subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a stem-cell extract, essential oils of a plant, a resin exudate of a plant, or a stem or leaf extract of a plant, or any combination thereof, thereby treating said lymphoma or EBV-associated disease. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said plant is  Commiphora gileadensis.